Grade 8 Science, Language, History & Geography
Science
Quote
A special kind of beauty exists which is born in language, of language, and for language.
.
Language
Writing Focus
Over the past 5 weeks students have been allotted 100 minutes of essay writing. Prior to the start of working through the essay writing process, students were taught the structure of essay writing (this includes hook, thesis statement, plan of development, point/argument, evidence, explanation and conclusion). We looked at each of these areas individually, as well as how they look pieced together. This was modelled to the students as part of their learning. In addition, students were looking at China’s One Child policy. We did some reading, watched a couple of videos and had classroom discussions on China’s One Child policy. This was their essay writing topic. Each student had to come up with their own focus question for their essay (this too was an additional lesson, how to write focus questions) before they came up with their specific one for the essay. We have also discussed the importance of citing our work when we are writing academic pieces, and how to construct a proper reference (looking at either MLA or APA format). Students are beginning to understand that even when they put ideas that someone else has written into their own words, this too must be cited.
We are now moving into persuasive writing techniques.
Reading Focus
INFERENCING: Is the next focus. Students will extend their understanding as well as evaluate inferences made from various texts. Students will have to provide evidence and reasoning to support their inferences.
Students will also be preparing for their reading conferences. Each reading group will have their own novel and over a 5 week cycle, read, code, analyze and prepare a main idea paragraph to present at their reading conference.
Gaston Bachelard (1884-1962) French philosopher and poet.
mgect.org
room8paerata.blogspot.ca
quotesgram.com
Understanding Life systems -Cells
So far, we have explored open inquiry on how organisms must adapt to their environment in order to survive. We are looking at the development of cell theory and getting to know the postulates of cell theory. As we get further into our cell unit, students will continue to develop their knowledge of organisms by focusing on the structure and function of cells in plants and animals. Students will be introduced to microscopes. Using this tool will provide students with the opportunity to explore objects in amazing detail. They will also learn the fragility of the tool and ensure their personal safety' (S&T Curriculum, 2007).
BIG IDEAS:
Cells are the basis of life (Overall Expectation, OE: 2 & 3)
Cells organize into tissues, tissues into organs, organs into organ systems, and organ systems into organisms (OE 2 & 3)
Healthy cells contribute to healthy organisms (OE 1 & 2)
Systems are interdependent (OE 1 & 3)
Understanding Earth & space systems - water systems
Our second unit - Water Systems, we will start around mid November/beginning of December. 'In learning about the earth's water systems, students will develop an understanding of important role that water systems pay in global ecosystems. Students will evaluate the role media play in portraying controversial water issues and research recent technological innovations related to Earth's water systems' (S&T Curriculum, 2007).
Furthermore, students will learn to identify and explain the importance of using sustainable water practices.
BIG IDEAS:
Water is crucial to life on Earth (OE 1 & 2)
Water systems influence climate and weather patterns (OE 3)
Water is an important resource that needs to be managed sustainably (OE 1 & 2)
Geography (T1 Done)
The focus these past couple of weeks has been on where people live and why. Students have begun to explore population distribution, and look into the various patterns people settle in and why.
Students will also be introduced to new types of maps and graphs, including choropleth maps, scatter graphs and population pyramids.
BIG IDEAS:
-Human settlement can cause social, environmental, and economic problems.
-Human settlement patterns are affected by the natural environment and also affect the natural environment.
-We need to develop sustainable communities that function within the limits of our physical environment.
(S&T Curriculum, 2007)
History
For second term we move away from geography and into history. Students will be exploring and building on their understanding of earlier Canadian history. They will first be looking at and examining ‘internal and external forces that led to Confederation and territorial expansion’. As well as the 'impact of these developments on long-time Canadians, including First Nations and new immigrants'.
